← Back to Blog

iPhone vs Samsung Repair Costs: What to Expect for Common Repairs

October 15, 2026 · Marion Phone Repair

Your phone needs a repair and you want to know what it will cost before you commit. Repair costs vary significantly between iPhone and Samsung models, between the type of repair needed, and between where you get it done (manufacturer, authorized service, or independent repair shop). Here is a realistic breakdown of what common repairs cost for current and recent iPhone and Samsung Galaxy models as of 2026.

Screen replacement costs

Screen replacement is the most common phone repair and also one of the most expensive because modern phone screens are sophisticated — they include the display panel (OLED or LCD), the digitizer (touch sensor), and often the front glass, all laminated together as a single assembly.

iPhone screen replacement

• iPhone 15 Pro Max / 16 Pro Max: Apple charges approximately $379 for an out-of-warranty screen replacement. Third-party repair shops typically charge $200 to $280 for a quality aftermarket OLED screen, or $280 to $350 for an OEM-quality display
• iPhone 15 Pro / 16 Pro: Apple charges approximately $329. Third-party shops typically charge $180 to $250
• iPhone 15 / 16: Apple charges approximately $279. Third-party shops typically charge $150 to $220
• iPhone SE (3rd gen): Apple charges approximately $179. Third-party shops typically charge $80 to $120 — LCD screens are significantly cheaper than OLED
• Older models (iPhone 12, 13, 14 series): Costs decrease as parts become more available. An iPhone 12 screen at a third-party shop typically runs $100 to $160

Samsung screen replacement

• Galaxy S24 Ultra: Samsung charges approximately $349 through their repair service. Third-party shops typically charge $200 to $300. The S Ultra screens are large and use high-end Dynamic AMOLED, making them expensive
• Galaxy S24 / S24+: Samsung charges approximately $249 to $299. Third-party shops typically charge $150 to $230
• Galaxy Z Fold / Z Flip (foldable): These are the most expensive screen repairs of any phone. The inner foldable display on the Z Fold can cost $400 to $600 through Samsung, and $300 to $500 at third-party shops. The Z Flip inner screen is somewhat less expensive but still significantly more than a standard phone screen. The unique flexible OLED panels are expensive to manufacture and harder to source
• Galaxy A series (A54, A34, A14): These budget and mid-range phones have much cheaper screens. Third-party shops typically charge $80 to $150, with lower-end A-series models (A14, A15) as low as $60 to $90

Why Samsung screens sometimes cost more

Samsung flagship screens use curved-edge displays on many models, which are more expensive to manufacture and harder to install than flat screens. The adhesive process for curved screens requires more precision, and the screens themselves cost more because of the curved glass forming process. Flat-screen Samsung models (Galaxy A series, some S FE models) are comparable in cost to iPhone screen repairs.

Battery replacement costs

Phone batteries degrade over time. After 2 to 3 years of regular use, most batteries retain only 80 to 85 percent of their original capacity, resulting in shorter battery life and sometimes unexpected shutdowns under heavy load.

iPhone battery replacement

• iPhone 16 series: Apple charges approximately $119 for battery replacement
• iPhone 15 / 14 / 13 / 12 series: Apple charges approximately $99
• iPhone SE: Apple charges approximately $89
• Third-party shops: Typically charge $50 to $80 for any iPhone model. The batteries themselves cost $15 to $30 wholesale, and the labor takes 20 to 45 minutes depending on the model. Newer iPhones with stronger adhesive (iPhone 12 and later) take longer

Samsung battery replacement

• Galaxy S24 series: Samsung charges approximately $99 through their repair service
• Galaxy S23 and older S-series: Samsung charges approximately $79 to $99
• Galaxy A series: Samsung charges approximately $59 to $79
• Third-party shops: Typically charge $40 to $70 for most Samsung models. Samsung phones are generally easier to open for battery replacement than iPhones (especially older models), which can make the repair slightly cheaper

Charging port repair costs

A damaged or worn charging port causes slow charging, intermittent connection (the cable must be held at a specific angle), or no charging at all.

iPhone charging port

On iPhones, the charging port (Lightning on iPhone 14 and earlier, USB-C on iPhone 15 and later) is soldered to the phone's logic board on some models and on a replaceable flex cable on others:

• Models where the port is on a flex cable (most iPhones): Third-party repair shops typically charge $60 to $100. The part is inexpensive and the repair takes 30 to 60 minutes
• Apple's pricing: Apple does not do individual component repairs for ports — they classify it as Other Damage, which can cost $199 to $599 depending on the model (essentially a device replacement, not a targeted repair)

Samsung charging port

• Most Samsung models: The USB-C charging port is on a replaceable daughter board (a small circuit board at the bottom of the phone). Third-party shops typically charge $50 to $80 for the repair, which involves replacing this entire daughter board — a clean repair that also replaces the microphone and headphone jack that share the same board
• Samsung's pricing: Similar to Apple, Samsung's official repair pricing for port issues tends to be higher ($100 to $200+) because they may replace the entire assembly rather than just the daughter board

Back glass replacement

Both iPhones (since iPhone 8) and Samsung Galaxy phones have glass backs that crack when dropped. This is one area where costs differ significantly between the two brands:

iPhone back glass

On older iPhones (8 through 13), the back glass is fused to the frame with strong adhesive and is extremely difficult to replace without specialized equipment. Apple charges $149 to $499 depending on the model (under the Other Damage category). Third-party shops using laser removal machines charge $80 to $150. iPhone 14 and later models made the back glass easier to replace (it is now held by screws and connectors rather than adhesive), bringing third-party costs down to $60 to $120.

Samsung back glass

Samsung back glass is typically held by adhesive and is easier to remove than older iPhone back glass. Third-party shops usually charge $40 to $80 for a Samsung back glass replacement. The parts are cheaper and more readily available than iPhone back glass panels.

Factors that affect repair cost

Where you get it repaired

• Manufacturer (Apple Store, Samsung Service Center): Most expensive, but you get genuine parts and the repair is documented in the device's service history. Important if you plan to sell or trade in the phone later — an Apple-documented repair preserves trade-in value better than a third-party repair
• Authorized third-party repair (Apple Authorized Service Provider, Samsung Authorized Partner): Similar to manufacturer pricing but sometimes slightly less. They use genuine parts and the repair is still documented
• Independent repair shop: Usually 30 to 50 percent cheaper than manufacturer pricing. Part quality varies — a good shop uses high-quality aftermarket or refurbished OEM parts. Ask the shop what quality of parts they use before committing
• DIY repair: The cheapest option if you are comfortable doing it yourself. Parts are available from iFixit, mobiledefenders.com, and other suppliers. However, DIY repair risks further damage if you are not experienced, and will void any remaining warranty

Part quality tiers

• OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer): Genuine parts made by or for the phone manufacturer. Most expensive, highest quality, identical to what came in the phone
• Refurbished OEM: An original screen assembly with a new glass front attached to the original OLED panel. Good quality at lower cost than new OEM
• High-quality aftermarket: Third-party manufactured parts that closely match OEM specifications. Good shops use these and the quality is typically 90 to 95 percent of OEM. Slight differences in color calibration or brightness may be noticeable on screens
• Budget aftermarket: Cheapest parts, noticeable quality differences. Screens may have lower brightness, worse color accuracy, or reduced touch sensitivity. Batteries may have lower actual capacity than stated. Worth avoiding unless the phone is very old and not worth spending more on

When repair is not worth the cost

A general rule: if the repair cost exceeds 40 to 50 percent of the phone's current used value, replacing the phone is usually a better financial decision. Check your phone's current value on a site like Swappa or by searching for your model on eBay's sold listings filter to see what comparable phones actually sell for.

Phone repair costs in Marion

Marion Phone Repair can provide a specific repair quote for your exact phone model and issue. Bring the phone in for a free diagnostic to find out exactly what needs to be repaired and what it will cost — no obligation to proceed with the repair if the cost does not make sense for your situation.